True Colours Thursday - ORANGE!

Well, Mother's colour meme, this week did briefly challenge me, regarding my Hug introduction process.
But, then young Oliver, or as he is affectionately known Ollie, sprang to mind..Well, he is named after an ORANGE carrot top!
It seems, whilst enjoying a Christmas House Party @ a hotel in Hove, the more select resort next to Brighton, Mother found him languishing in the British Heart Foundation charity shop there.
She rescued him and named him after a very attrative and attentive waiter with the said hair colouration, who had caught her attention!!!
Very interesting - as never imagined Mother was flighty!
Ollie the waiter is history but this fine huggable fellow remains.
And, here we are together before taking over the laptop to blog this...Hugs to all,


PS...
Yesterday, Mother had a private email from Maggie & Mitch and wheelie Miss Autumn, to say they had discovered a little more of Merry's American story
They wrote:-
"Our mom has a sieve for a brain sometimes!
Guess where Merry came from?
Awhile back mom and dad were taking regular trips to WOODSTOCK, Vermont!
Merry came from a place called the Enchanted Doll House!
We thought that you should know the town where mom found and adopted her!
What a coincidence!
This was truly meant to be!"
I could not agree more.

C is for...!

I have decided to contribute to the ABC challenge again!
Cause, excuse my lapse into colloquial English - C can only stand for my very own confectionery container...What does it contain?
Candies - No!
Chocolates, but not just any old chocolates...A collective of Chocolate Bears.
Now being a caring character, I was initially concerned about consuming these little chappies...But, after careful consideration, I decide I could with a clear conscious as cannot have them creating havoc in the greater Hug!

A Surprise Parcel!

Am in an incredibly, good mood here!
Today, was an important landmark in my life history.
I received, my very, very first, ever parcel in the post, it was personally addressed to me, much to Mothers shock... It's contents, came as an even greater, surprise to both of us...Now, last Wheelie Wednesday, over @ Airedale friends Maggie & Mitch's, I made the acquaintance of another quality girl, Miss Autumn.
She was hosting a small competition to win one of her Mum's cleverly knitted 'miniature' socks - here she is modelling them...You had to answer two simple questions:-
1. What is Mitch's most favourite fruit?
2. What is Maggie's most disliked?
Now, I quickly conferred with Mother, who considers these two, amongst her closest & dearest old blog friends.
She showed me these snaps...I quickly, drew my own conclusions & entered via a Comment!
And, Low & Behold, I won!
There was great excitement here, as Mother, has never been that lucky, personally.

Getting back to my parcel - we, did think, it looked rather on the large size for just a sock!
However, neither of us were prepared for its contents
We are both delighted - tickled blue!
Meet Merry & her Christmas Tree designer sock... Dear Miss Autumn wrote on the accompanying card:-
"Hi Woodstock!
This little guy knocked on our front door and TOLD us he was lost.
We checked him over and DISCOVERED he was English.
We knew he'd find a GOOD home with you
Congrats on guessing that Mitch LOVES Apples.
And, Maggie HATES Lemons
Your friends,
Autumn, Maggie & Mitch"
I am quite overcome, can hardly say how much I appreciate this.
Merry, will be my closest Hug companion from now on... Many, many Thank-You's and extra hugs to her givers!

Postscript:
Mother has done some research, as she was curious about newcomer Merry's heritage.
Merry, according to her label is a Merrythought Bear from Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK.
She will have therefore been hand made, just like myself.
And, is also fully jointed & a collectible Mohair bear too.
Like me, she is un-datable @ mo but almost sure to be a limited edition.
Mother & I just wonder, what journey took her to North America & how she got lost there - the moths, on her travels have nibbled one of her paws!
Thank heavens, she was found by Autumn, Maggie & Mitch's Mum, and sent home to safety!

Monochrome Monday - Entrance Gates!

Having been given the go ahead to become a Monochrome Manic, by its gracious creator & host Aileni, I thought this week, I would tinker with a photograph of my believed & beloved birthplace.

These are the Palace's front entrance gates - imposing, do you not think...

A FURRY Adversary!

Mother does Photo Hunters today, this weeks prompt being furry, I told her I had the perfect topic!
But, she went her own sweet way.
So, I will tell you my-self!

Earlier this week, I had a few worrying moments.
You see, wheelie Bailey discovered I had procured my own blog, and his best buddy, the very furry Skipper took it extremely badly, I have to say.
He's a lot bigger than me, looks even more imposing because he's so white and furry!
However, never let it be said that I can be easily intimidated, my initial scared look was simply surprise...I quickly gathered my wits about me and explained to Skipper about Bear Hug loyalty, and that fond as he was of Bailey, I am kin.
Didn't like to add superior kin, as that might have set him off again!
The big lump, eventually saw sense, and we are now friends of sorts...He needs a firm hand & some serious behavioural training - will never be refined like myself, but am sure I can make something of him given time, lots and lots of time!

Bears in the Sky!

I have to say, I have rather taken to this blogging lark!

So, much so, I wondered, if I could contribute to the Sky Watch.

Since Mother was most dismissive on the subject, I went to see what Google Images might produce, when I pawed in 'Bear Clouds'.

Hey presto - this is what they came up...Fascinated, I followed the link to this amazing blog post by Kuching Kayaking, where there are even more, bear cloud formation photographs.

Am bear-mazed!

Do go take a look.
Hugs,

True Colours Thursday - PINK!

As today is Mother's meme [do not like that word], thought, I would take this PINK opportunity, to introduce the newest member to my Hug!
One of Mother's near neighbours went away for Christmas.
She, Teri, is American, you know - hails from Boston it seems; where we have good WFT friends, Agatha & Archie.
Mother had looked after Teri's exceedingly pregnant cat Penny last Summer - not a great experience by all accounts!!!
So much so, the family still feel indebted to her!
Hence, young daughter, brought back a girl Bear in her favourite colour, from Massachusetts.
She, now christened Fushia, is very, very bright PINK....
And, in my eyes is a touch over the top re patriotism - has a 'Stars & Strips' heart on her right paw!
We, Brits would never go that far.
However, I have welcomed her warmly - not everyone gets to sit on my lap...

B is for Bear[s]!

Now, it was not my intention to blog every day, yet opportunities keep arising.
For instance I can hardly let this weeks ABC Wednesday pass by.
The alphabet letter is B, and what else can it stand for but Bear or even better Bears!

During the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, that smart youngster Bob. T Bear [esq] held his own Paw-lympic 'Synchronized Bear Sittin' event.
Some of Mother's Hug participated, here's their entry...Not too bad really!
But, they were beaten 'fair & bear', to the Bear Gold, a little Blue Felt Bear, by Becky's bunch...However, there was much honey liqueur celebrations & bear-citement in my households Hug, when they were awarded by Bob, 'A Special Certificate of Merit' for their fur colour co-ordination...Bravo!
But, obviously, we will fair much better next time, under my tutelage!
"

An Award!

Am amazed!
Almost speechless but not quite!
Only been blogging a few days and already have an Award!
Must indicate, instant recognition of my superior qualities etc.
Aunt BJ, who writes exceedingly well; is quite a script HERE - has passed this one, onto both Mother & I..This *** Award is apparently, bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog's content is, in the giver's opinion Brilliant.
Well, I knew I was Good.
But, 'Thank-you' Aunt BJ, for recognising this, so early on!
It is much appreciated.

The rules:
"When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real.
Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends.
Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.”
Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.
List at least ten honest things about yourself.
Then, pass it on! "

So, who, to Award - am a bit flumaged here.
Just gifting it to those, who show qualities I admire!
1. Edward - no explanation needed really, a Bear of my own class!
2. Bob. T Bear, esq - lively entertaining young chap!
3. Dina, charming lady - left me a comment on my Monochrome post!
4. Maggie & Mitch, superior Aires.
5. Molly & Taffy, as family, per Mother!
Would tag Bear Naked, a human with Bear class, but @ the moment she has to to watch over Monsieur Bear.
6. Eduardo, anyone who snuggles that much, must have a good heart!
7. Asta, this sassy WFT lady, reminds me of Miss Judy!

And, now, let me see, what I should reveal about myself.
Am quite a private bear really.
However, here goes TEN [honest] random things about me:
1. I wear a collar, sadly with a bell!
But, the collar does help support my poor neck & the bell alerts Mother when I take a tumble.
2. My leather paw pads have water stains!
I suspect I may have gone for a paddle @ some time in the fountains of my birth place.
3. I prefer sleeping on my own - more den space to stretch out in.
4. Do not acknowledge any shortening of my name - consider it very bad form.
5. I prefer reading 'Winnie the Pooh' by A. A. Milne, to Michael Bond's 'Paddington Bear'.
6. But, definitely not that keen on Honey, far too sticky & sweet.
Much prefer Marmalade, though in truth, am more a savoury Marmite type of individual .
7. My favourite ever television serial is 'Brideshead Revisited', shown originally in 1981.
It is based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel of the same name.
This choice is naturally because of Aloysius Bear!
He accompanied his owner Sebastian Flyte, a young man of good upbringing but a dreamer to study @ Dreamingpsires.
After leaving university they travel together in an open-top Morris on journey to Italy and other countries in Europe.
Aloysius is spoiled and neglected but mostly cuddled.
Have not seen the more recent cinematic version; must have Mother find a copy.
8. I HATE the cold & ice, even with my cosy mohair coat.
9. Am not ticklish, but have a sensitive spot in my lower spine.
10. My last wish is to be loved to death!
Done my best here!
Hugs to all,

Monochrome Monday - Miss Judy's Arrival!

Now, am unsure whether to play officially here!
Is the greater Monochrome Maniac World, quite ready for me yet???
Do not want to upset Mother's good friend Aileni, creator & host!
But, could not resist a small effort @ tweaking images to B&W.
Dear wheelie Miss Judy's arrival with her paw wounded in her travel box, seemed a suitable start... Hugs,

PS - We are honoured!
Aileni says we can participate.
What a good sport he is!